San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 02-28-26

Happy Saturday! Here's your weekend fishing report for the Central Coast.

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Santa Margarita Lake

• Water: Low 50s, slightly stained, near full capacity
• Bass: Picking up as water warms! 2 lb catches on swim jigs and paddle tail trailers
• Tip: Fish moving into pre-spawn — try shallow areas near shore

Whale Rock Reservoir 🔥

• Temp: 65°F, Partly Cloudy
• Largemouth Bass: HOT BIT! 2 lb bass on black/blue swim jig within 15 feet of shore
• Spotted Bass: 2-2.5 lb avg, up to 3.5-4 lbs occasionally
• Best Time: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
• Presentation: Ned Rig, Swing Head, Texas-rigged stick bait (natural colors)

San Antonio Lake

• Temp: ~53°F, roughly half full
• Trout: Slow — a few on chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait
• Catfish: ✅ Good! 2-4 lbs on garlic shrimp and chicken liver
• Bass: Deep winter pattern — try deep-diving crankbaits in 15-25 ft

Lake Nacimiento 🌟

• Temp: 67°F, Clear water
• White Bass: Excellent — one of the best catch ratios in the state!
• Spotted Bass: Active on rocky points and flats, eating moving baits
• Best Lures: Bladed jigs, small plastics
• Catfish/Carp: Big potential — early morning or evening
• Stats: 5,000+ acres, 165 miles of shoreline

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🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

Offshore fishing delivering strong results:

• Lingcod: Up to 33 lbs (season: 2,814)
• Rockfish: 56,000+ landed
• Vermilion Rockfish: 8,670
• Copper Rockfish: 2,085
• Bocaccio: 6,615

Book charters early — spring is busy!

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📅 What to Expect

• Bass moving into full pre-spawn
• White bass heating up at Lake Nacimiento
• Ocean fishing strong through spring

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🎣 Get Your Gear Ready

Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣